UCC will travel to Tralee in buoyant mood for today's McGrath Cup final against Kerry after defeating DIT in their Sigerson Cup opener on Wednesday.

And while they would love to take the All-Ireland champions' scalp, next Wednesday's Sigerson Cup second round clash with NUIG is arguably a much bigger assignment for the Cork students.

"Now that we won the Sigerson game on Wednesday, it makes tomorrow a nice bonus," UCC selector John Corcoran told the Irish Examiner.

"Had we lost on Wednesday, it would in effect have made our season over and would only be the equivalent of a 3rd-4th placed play-off for us. Now we can go to Tralee and enjoy the occasion."

Corcoran defends the involvement of universities in the pre-season competitions, claiming the games against inter-county teams are invaluable preparation for the Sigerson Cup.

"You'll always have critics but we're only playing by the rules. The Munster Council decided that colleges would be able to enter into the McGrath Cup competition and it's been very beneficial for us.

"Our McGrath Cup wins generated huge self-belief in the team this year. After beating a side like the Sigerson Cup champions CIT, we knew we could perform." Tweet

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